Ticking Time Bombs

I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my heavy bag drop beside me. My gaze automatically scans the room, checking every face.

I already know Andrew's schedule, so I know he shouldn't be here, I remind myself, only exhaling once I'm completely sure.

It's ironic. He's supposed to be my fake Alpha boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn't anywhere near me. Today is supposed to be our official launch, our first day of executing the plan. But my stomach is doing violent flips.

After last night's kiss, I desperately need space. Breathing room. Time to convince my inner wolf that trusting Andrew Shaw isn't a colossal, life-ruining mistake. With him, all my carefully built walls crumble into dust. Worse, I didn't just kiss him; I melted into him like a desperate pup.

"Miss me, Peach?" a familiar voice teases right in my ear.

I jump, startled, before turning around.

Anita slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him.

"I thought you weren't coming back from the pack lands until tomorrow!" I whisper, relief warming my chest.

God, it feels good to see her. Anita isn't just my roommate; she's my anchor, and my pack sister in every way that counts. She’s been gone for days celebrating her anniversary with her mate, and I hadn't realized how much I needed her until now.

"So basically, you didn't miss me at all," Anita says, pulling out her notebook with mischievous eyes.

"I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you," I whisper dramatically.

She smothers a laugh. "Or maybe you were just having too much fun while I was gone?"

If only she knew. "Fun" is the last word I'd use for the radioactive disaster my life became overnight.

"I'll tell you everything after class," I whisper, flipping open my notebook.

Her pen pauses midair. She leans closer, eyebrows raised. "Now I'm anxious."

"After class," I repeat, forcing my eyes toward the podium.

The professor's voice drones on, but it might as well be static. My heart is already pounding against my ribs. Just the thought of telling Anita feels sickening. She has the kind of fairy-tale bond people write stories about. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible.

The second lecture ends, Anita grabs my wrist and practically drags me into the hallway, weaving through the crowd of wolves until we find a quiet alcove outside.

"Okay," Anita says, putting her hands on her hips. "Tell. Me. Everything."

I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies instantly in my throat. "You think it's some funny, messy drama," I murmur, staring down at my sneakers. "It's not."

Her smile fades. "Then start wherever you can."

So I do. I tell Anita everything, catching Daniel breaking our bond with Elena, his disgusting excuses, his verbal abuse, and the desperate revenge plot that threw me straight into Andrew's lap.

By the time I finish, Anita is just staring at me, her jaw practically on the floor. For a long moment, she doesn't say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Are you okay?" she asks quietly, pulling back to hold my shoulders.

"Yeah," I nod, letting out a self-conscious laugh. "I mean, I cried all night and then cringed myself to death over my own actions with Andrew."

Anita's eyes flash with dangerously dark wolf heat. "I am going to kill Daniel Shaw when I see him. How could he do that?! Who does that bastard think he is?!"

"Guess you never really know an Alpha," I shrug bitterly.

Anita leans closer, her shoulder brushing mine as her eyes suddenly light up with wild curiosity. "Okay... but are you one hundred percent serious about Andrew? Because if you are..."

"Don't you dare get excited!" I narrow my eyes at her.

It's too late. Anita has been low-key obsessed with Andrew's hockey career since freshman year; she literally ran his campus fan page before she met her boyfriend!

With a heavy sigh, I dig my phone out of my jacket and thrust it into her hands. "Here. Proof."

Her jaw drops as she reads the screen.

Andrew: Send me your schedule, Peach.

ME: Don't call me Peach.

Andrew: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess.

"Oh my God," Anita squeaks, slapping a hand over her mouth. "You're not joking! You're actually texting Andrew Shaw!"

"Why would I joke about that?" I mutter.

"Does Tony know his teammate is claiming his sister?!"

"No!" I sigh, rubbing my temples. "And I have no idea how to tell him."

She grins wickedly. "Girl, you are treading radioactive waters, but I fully support this!"

Before I can respond, a new notification flashes on the screen.

"It's him!" Anita gasps, clutching my arm.

"Shhh!" I hiss, leaning down to read the text.

Andrew: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess?

I roll my eyes out loud. "First it was Peach, now it's Princess. What's next, Queen of the Pack?"

"Are you serious?!" Anita shakes her head in disbelief. "You're literally texting the star forward of the hockey team like he's your regular study buddy!"

"He's just a guy," I argue. "A normal guy who happens to play hockey with my brother."

"Do you realize you're his first girlfriend ever?" Anita slaps her forehead. "Andrew Shaw doesn't do relationships, Gina!"

I open my mouth to laugh it off, but the words freeze in my throat.

My chest tightens violently as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad. Cold thorns prick at my skin. Daniel is walking slowly down the stone path, with his arm casually wrapped around a female's shoulders.

And it isn't even Elena. It's someone completely different.

I force my eyes away, swallowing hard against the bitter burning in my throat. It hurts, so much more than I want to admit out loud.

"Gina?" Anita asks softly, following my gaze.

I stare down at my phone, my fingers trembling as I hit reply to Andrew's text.

ME: 12 p.m. at the library. Don't be late, Alpha